WITH Micky Barron taking charge of Hartlepool United this weekend, chairman Ken Hodcroft will start his search for a new boss next week.

Former Darlington boss Dave Penney remains favourite with the bookies – he was as short as 4/5 last night – as a number of other riders made their moves.

Penney is understood to have his supporters inside Victoria Park, but Hodcroft, who addressed yesterday’s AGM at the club, won’t rush into a quick decision.

As has been the case in previous managerial appointments, Hodcroft and owners IOR will put their faith in Barron on the training ground this week and next as they weigh up the candidates.

It could be that Barron remains in temporary charge for the next home game, against Colchester a week on Saturday.

“It’s important to follow the procedure,’’ said Hodcroft.

“There’s a decision to make – do we go for inexperience or experience for the long-term? It’s hard making an appointment.

“It’s hard removing a manager as well – the statement we released on Tuesday was tough. But look at the attendance at the last game, how low were they going?”

“There are always positives and negatives over every decision. We said a fresh direction was required and that’s what I felt was necessary.

“Everything we said in the statement was from the heart, what we said about Mick we meant it, it wasn’t a case of saying things without meaning.’’ The chairman’s statement, issued to shareholders at the AGM, revealed: “As a whole, the club did not make progress along the lines we expected in the JPT, FA Cup and the Carling Cup competitions this season, as we had hoped to make it past the first round of all three. We need to bring income into the club and those competitions are one source of such income.’’ Barron will be assisted by Ritchie Humphreys on Saturday, with the club’s senior pros also chipping in.

Pools will not hold a pre-match press conference before heading south tomorrow, but the stand-in boss – third favourite at 9-1 for the permanent job – will perform press duties after the game at Griffin Park.

Former Falkirk boss John Hughes was yesterday the latest name added to the index of candidates, with ex-Pools chief Neale Cooper also listed after patching up his relationship with club chiefs in recent months.

Midfielder Nobby Solano can be left out of the equation, but Gateshead boss Ian Bogie hasn’t ruled himself out, despite being under contract on Tyneside.

Brian Laws, the ex-Scunthorpe and Burnley chief, is keen on the post and is believed to have already applied.

Hodcroft will welcome applicants, but will not deal with agents in line with club policy and, as has been the case in past appointments, will deal directly with hopefuls.

Pools, meanwhile, were yesterday reported to have had an offer turned down for Welling United striker Andy Pugh.